Sulfur-retort



' W. E. CLIFFORD AND T. H. GREEN.

SULFUR RETORT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 25. Isl-9.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

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'SULFUR REoRr.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25. 1919:

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

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APPLICATION FILED IAN.25 |919.

1,332,542. Patented Mm. 2, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

WILLIAM E. CLIFFORD, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, ANI) THOMAS H. GREEN, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO UNITED FILTERS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SULFUR-RETORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Application filed January 25, 1919. Serial No. 273,029.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known-that we, WILLIAM E. CLIF- FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Salt .Lake City, county of Salt Lake, and State of Utah, and THOMAS H. GREEN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Sprii'gfid, Sangamon county, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sulfur-Retorts, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an apparatus for extracting sulfur from sulfur-bearing material by fusion and has for its object the provision of means whereby thismay be accomplished in an efficient and expeditious manner.

Our invention in its broadestaspects comarranged to accommodate the cage in such.

a way that the cage while being rotatably mounted when functioning therein may be readily removed endwise therefrom into illing or discharging position as the case may be, the casing also being provided with a steam inlet and a valve controlled discharge orifice for the molten sulfur.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated by way of eXample a preferable embodiment of the principles of our invention in Which;-

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a retort showing the parts in operative position` just rior to the final operation of the head loc ingV mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing the parts in inoperative position and with the cage removed from the casing.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation with th parts in operative position. l

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a .detail illustrative of the position assumed by the head locking mechanism after functioning.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the mechanism employed for tripping the head-locking linkage prior to assuming the position shown in Fig. 4.

Fig.V 6 is a detail illustrative of the manner in which the head-locking mechanism is retained in its locking position.l

Fig. 7 is a view in vertical cross section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the mannelin which the cage may be provided With a movable door or section for lling or dumping purposes.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary.- detail on an enlarged scale of the hinge mechanism employed for hingedly mounting the movable section of the cage.

Fig-. Q is a view artly in cross section of the valve-controlled discharge port or passage provided in the tank for the molten sulfur,

Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invention in detail, A indicatesl a cylindrical shell or casing permanently closed at one end by a head 1 and by a movable closure or head 2 at the other end. Slidably and rotatably mounted within the shell A is a cage B in which the stratified sulfur rock or material is lodged during the opera.- tionof the apparatus. The cage is preferably made of cast iron as this has been found best to resist the decomposition that occurs in handling molten sulfur and at the same time it possesses the required strength to receive and support the sulfur rock. Of course, other suitable material possessing the necessarylproperties to resist such decomposition and having the required strength to support the weight of this material may be employed, if desired.- The cage is formed of a. series of rodsor pipes 3 arranged in 6, these being several in number and disposed equi-distant along ythe length of the cage to 'lend it the proper strength and rigidity. It will be understood that the plpes 3- are quite closely aggregated, only sufficient tolerance or cleara-nce being allowed to permit of the molten sulfur to lescape and flow into the outer casing from which it is drawn off when desired. The split collars 6 surround and are fastened to the main center driving shaft S and separating the split collars are sleeves 7. The sections of the split collar 6 are bolted together by the fastening means 9 and in order to form a rigid connection between the cage land. shaft 8 so that the two will rotate in unison, a bolt 10 sure of the tank constituting substantially diii'm of a clutch 18.

a unitary structure as both parts are designed to be positioned and removed relatively to the tank in unison.

The driving mechanism employed for rotating thecage comprises a driving shaft 17 journaled in the permanent head of the shell orv casing A. This shaft is coperatively associated with the shaft 8 through the me- Upon the extended portion .of the shaft is mounted al worm wheel 19 in engagement with a worm 20 mounted upon a shaft 21, having imparted thereto driving power from a suitable source (not shown). Through the medium of the clutch 18, it will be apparent that the shaft v 8 supporting the clutch may be readily dis- Vconnected from the driving means, enabling the cage'to be Withdrawn for filling or emptying'as the case may be.

As before explained, he cage carrying carriage and movably mounted closure for the tank are connected in such a way as to move together, the inner portion of the carriage being supported upon suitable tracks Within the tank or caslng. The head or closure 2 is also provided witha suitable truck having wheels`22 operating on parallel track irons 23 eXteriorly arranged with respect to Athe tank, thus completing the essential instumentalities to make the cage easily mobile.

In order to provide for a complete, positive closure, the movable head 2 is provided with va quick-acting locking mechanism upon the functioning of which a positive tight joint between the open end of the tank and the head is efectuated.v This automatic locking mechanism comprises an arrangement of to gle levers, said mechanism comprising a p urality of radially disposed levers 24 operably connected with a collar 25 slidably mounted upon a shaft 26, one end `of which is fastened to the movable head 2,

. while the opposite end is cooperatively associated with a cross bar 27 The levers 24 pivotally mounted to the collar 25 have'their of the movable closure 2. These curved ends interlock with suitable lugs or ears 28 projecting from the front face near the perlph- 'dead center position. The means employed ery of the casing. Connected with the collar by their rear ends are links 29, having their forward ends in turn pivoted at 30 to rear ends of similar links 31 and 32. The front ends of the links 31 are pivoted to the movable cross bar 27 and the front ends of the links32 are pivoted to the collar 33 fast upon the shaft 26. From this it will be understood that the linkage arrangement comprising links 31 and 32 constitute a toggle connection operably associated with and actuated by the cross bar 27. The outer ends of the cross bar are connected to suitable transmission chains 34, through which the operating power is transmitted and applied to effect the movement of the cage from operative to inoperative positions, as well as the head locking mechanism.

The ends of the cross bar 27 are connected to the movable head 2 by means of links 35 and 36, the link 36 having a depending arm 37 Fixed to the tank supporting beams 38, which extend on each side of the apparatus, is a tripping device 39 having an inclined or cam surface 40 so positioned as to engage the outer end of the arm 37 of the lever 36, so that when the latter is passing over the incline 40, it will actuate the links 35 and 36 and throwsthem out past their for actuating the cross bar 27 and the toggle locking mechanism comprises the transmission cables 34. These cables are arranged on both sides of the apparatus and pass over pulleys 41 and 42 at opposite ends of the beams su porting 4the entire apparatus, said cables bem fastened to the cross bar 27 This cross ar as will be observed is also made readily mobile by means of the wheels 4.3 traveling upon suitable rails 23. The pulleys 41 are mounted upon a shaft 45, and upon this shaft and within a suitable housing 46 is a worm wheel ,which is in driving connection with the worm contained in the housing 47, the latter worm being mounted upon a shaft directly driven by a suitable air motor 48.y

It will be apparent from the foregoingv that when the cage is completely housed Within the shell and the removable closure in locked vposition against the end of the cage, the levers and toggle and associated actuating mechanism will appear as in the full lineposition of Fig. 4. When it is desired to remove the cage from' its inclosing- 120 casing, the motor by means of associated cables will pull ther movable cross bar 27 outwardly from the tan-k or casing unfolding or expanding the links and toggle into the position shown in Fig..1. As this operation continues, the removable closure 2 with the cage will separate from the casing A, the clutch 18 permitting the disengagement from the driving shaft 17 until the parts finally assume the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which` position the cage is ready to be' either filled or dumped as occasion may require. The cage may be provided with one or more hingedly arranged door sections 49, by means ot' which the cage may 'be tilled or emptied of the sulfur bearing material. In order to rotate thev carriage when it is withdrawn from the shell to either position, a sprocket 50 is provided upon the shaft 8 to acommodate a. suitable chain connected with a suitable source of power, thus enabling therotation ot the cage to present the doors in the desired position. One suitable arrangement for the door section is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the structural details being shown enlarged. The door comprises a segment of the piped periphery of the cage and is hingedly arranged. This is accomplished by using one of the pipes indicated at 3*.

as a fulcrum. Suitable short T and L pivots 5l and 52 are employed. these being;` fastened to a leg or arm of the spider in the manner shown.

The shell is provided with a steam inlet 5i and a valve controlled molten sulfur outlet 55. The valve 5G controlling this outlet is manually manipulated and for this purpose, the valve stem is connected with a lever 57 pivoted to a support 58 at one end, and at the other end is provided with upstanding hand-bar 59. Upon lifting the bar, the valve is unseated, thus allowing the molten sulfur to flow through the discharge orifice to the collecting point.

In the operation ofl the device. the sulfur bearing material is placed within the cage whereupon the cage is slid within the casing, the cover being securely locked. Steam is then admitted through the port 54, and power is applied to shafts 17 and 18, to ro tate the cage at a slow rate of speed for the required length of time to melt the sulfur. When the fusing period is completed, the valve 56 is opened and the sulfur withdrawn whereupon the driving power employed to rotate the cage is cut ott' and the cage is withdrawn from the shell, to permit of its emptying and replenishment.

lVhile we have illustrated one embodiment ot' the principles of the invention, We have done so by way of example, wishing it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise structural details illustrated and described but, on the contrary, we desire t-o secure unto ourselves those principles in whatever lma"ner it may be found desirable to embody them.

Having thus described our invention, We claim: i

l. A sulfur retort comprising a closed casing tormed in two con'iplcmental sections, one section being movable relative to the other section, a drive shaft `iournaled in t-he fixed casing section, a rotary cage formed of material capable of resisting decomposition that occurs in handling molten sulfur adapted to receive and support sulfur bearing material and carried by the movable casing'section so as to telescope within t-he fixed casing section as the movable casing section is moved toward and away therefrom, and cooperating clutch members on the drive shaft and cage respectively and arranged to be automatically brought into and out of operative relation as the cage is telescoped in and out of the casing section.

2. A sulfur retort comprising a` tubular casing having a closed end and an open end, a head movrlble toward and away from the lasing and adapted to close the open end thereof, a frame carried by the head and arranged to telescope within the casing as the head is moved into and out of operative position, a shaft journaled upon the said trame and extending longitudinally of the casing, a rotatable cage formed of material capable of resisting decomposition that occurs in handling molten sulfur adapted to receive and support sulfur bearing material mounted upon the shaft, a drive shaft extending through and journaled within the closed end of the casing, and coperating clutch members on the drive 'shaft and cage respectively and arranged to be automatically brought into and out 0f operative relation as the cage is telescoped in and out of the casing section.

3. A sulfur retort comprising a closed 'asing formed in complemental sections, one of the sections being movable with respect to the other section to open the casing, a

drive shaft extending into the xed casing section, a rotary cage carried by the movable casing section, a releasable driving connection between the drive shaft and the cage,

means for moving the movable casing section, and locking means associated with the moving means to be automatically actuated thereby.

4. A sulfur retort comprising a tubular casing havin an open end and a closed end, a head mova le toward and away from the casing and adapted to close the open end thereof, tracks arranged within the casing, a frame carried by the head and mounted to telescope within the casing as the head is moved into and out of operative position, and supporting wheels carried by the frame and traveling upon the tracks, a shat't journaled upon the 'trame and extending longitudinally ot' the casing, a rotary cage formed of material capable or' resisting decomposition that occurs in handling molten sulfur adapted to receive and support sulfur bearing material mounted upon the shaft, a drive shaft extending through the closed end of the casing, and coperating clutch members on the drive shaft. and shatt of the cage respectivehY and arranged to be automatically brought into and out of operative relation as the cage is telescoped in and out of the casing section.

5. A sulfur retort comprising a casing having an open end, a head adapted to close the said open end of the casing and movable toward and away from the same, means for moving the head, and latch means mounted upon the head and associated with the moving means to be automatically actuated thereby.

6. A sulfur retort comprising a casing having an open end, a head adapted to close the said open end 0f the casing and movable toward .and away therefrom, a cro head a1'- ranged in a spaced relation to the head and movable in the same direction,`means for moving the cross head, an operative connection between the cross head and the head which admits of a relative movement between the said members, and latch means upon the head constructed to be automatically actuated by the relative movement between the head and the cross head.

7. A sulfur retort comprising a casing having an open end, a head adapted to close the lsaid casing and movable toward and away from the same, latch meansv upon the head for locking it in a close engagement with the casing, a cross head mounted back of the head and arranged to have a relative movement with respect thereto, means for positively moving the cross head, and a toggle connection between the cross head and `the latch means whereby the latch means is automatically operated by the relative movement between the head and cross head.

8. A sulfur retort comprising a casing, track irons Within the casing, a carriage movable on the track irons, a cage supported by the carriage, a shaft upon which the cage is mounted, driving means for said shaft, clutchl mechanism for said shaft, and common actuating means for o ening the casing, removing the cage, and isconnecting the clutch mechanism.

9. A sulfur retort comprising a casing, a receiving cage for sulfur rock, the cylindrical walls of which are made up of an annularly arranged series of rods or pipes, a central shaft for supporting the cage, driving means for rotating the supporting shaft and means for moving the cage endwise from the casing.

WILLIAM n. CLIFFORD. THOMAS I-I. GREEN. 

